Festival Volunteer

We assign volunteers to the following departments. Please read through the list, then select your top three department preferences at the bottom. We cannot guarantee you'll be assigned to one of your preferred departments, but we’ll do our best!

Backbone
The backbone team are the ‘heavy lifters’ and help us set up all equipment and furniture. Must have muscles!

Box Office
Sometimes the first interaction a guest will have is with our box office team. We are looking for friendly and professional volunteers to greet guests, answer questions and assist with ticket purchases. We do recommend that these volunteers be comfortable using technology and handling sales transactions.

Connections
Do you like to meet new people? Do you always have a smile on your face? We are looking for you at our Connections table! This is where our guests will go with questions or to learn more about the festival, as well as where our sponsors, donors and visiting filmmakers check in.

Events
Our events team is responsible for all event setup and operations of our special events. These include opening night reception, our private filmmaker event, the Pavilion Party and the Closing Night reception.

Merchandise
We love to offer our guests a chance to take a memory of Washington West Film Festival with them through our merchandise options. We need merchandise volunteers who are comfortable handling sales transactions and have friendly and welcoming personalities.

Photography & Videography
We try to capture all of those special moments and memories that make Washington West fun and different. We need a large team of photographers and videographers to make that happen. We do ask that photographers bring their own equipment to use during the festival. Please submit a portfolio or sample of work.

Security
Security is always a concern. From guarding our cash boxes to providing personal security for some of our special guests, our security team is an important part of the festival.

Social Media
Our social media presence is so important in this day and age. Help out our social media team by drafting Facebook posts and tweets; retweeting and sharing relevant posts; and capturing the essence of Washington West for those who aren’t in the room.

Ticket Takers
Ticket takers greet each guest as they enter the theatre to make sure they are in the correct location and to scan their ticket. Ticket takers need to be good working with the public and sometimes handling delicate situations. Must have smart phones!

Ushers
Ushers greet guests once they are inside the theater, assist with directing them to open seats and help manage our reserved seat sections for each screening.

Volunteer Coordination
Believe it or not, we need volunteers to help manage and coordinate our volunteers! If you like working with generous, lovely people, this is the team for you.

'I Agree' (Please Read Carefully)

I understand that submitting this application does not automatically register me as a Washington West Film Festival volunteer. By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided on this application is true and accurate.

If I am accepted as a volunteer, I agree to the following:

• To satisfactorily complete all of my scheduled shifts in their entirety and to arrive on time to my scheduled shifts.
• To NOT be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during my shifts.
• To NOT bring any pets with me to my shifts or volunteer meetings.
• To carry my manager's phone number and my schedule with me at all times.

I understand if I fail to meet any of the above requirements, it may result in the forfeiture of my tickets.

I understand that parking and lodging are not provided to volunteers.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY!

I agree to work as a volunteer for the Washington West Film Festival (the “Festival”) for a minimum of four (4) hours during the 2022 calendar year. I understand that I will not be compensated for my volunteer work and that volunteers are not considered to be employees or independent contractors of the Festival. I also understand that either the Festival or I may terminate this agreement at any time by notifying the other party.

1. Representations and Warranties. I hereby represent and warrant that I have the requisite skill, knowledge, and ability to perform the duties required of me in performing the volunteer roles described on the volunteer information page. I understand that I may request to be placed in a specific volunteer role, but my assignment will ultimately be determined by my experience, my availability, and the needs of the Festival.

2. Release of Liability, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk. I understand that as a volunteer, some of my activities may be hazardous and/or have an inherent risk of injury. I acknowledge that it is my personal responsibility to familiarize myself with any potential participation risks and I agree to perform only such activities as I am comfortable doing and to follow all instructions and safety precautions while doing so. I hereby expressly and specifically assume the risk of injury or harm in these activities and release the Festival from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage that results during the performance of my volunteer duties. I waive all known and unknown claims I might have against the Festival now or in the future related to injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting during the performance of my volunteer duties.

3. Photo Release. I grant permission to the Festival and its sponsors to use (and to allow third parties to use) my image, likeness, and voice in any video, photograph, audio recording, or other form of reproduction of this event via any media for any purpose, including advertising.

4. Other. I agree that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and that this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Virginia.